Monitor Lizard Enclosure Build Questions

cparker · 04-22-13, 04:44 AM

I'm going to be building a 12x6x8 enclosure and have some questions.

Is foam or fiberglass insulation better? I don't really know how to attach the foam. How many bags of fiberglass insulation would I need to insulate the top, bottom and sides?

Should I put a waterproofer on the wood thats' not in contact with substrate?

Best thing to protect wood that touches substrate? FRP is hard to find by me and I don't have tools to cut it to the sizes.

Best way to connect plywood sheets together?

For the frame should I use screws or nails to secure it?

thanks

infernalis · 04-22-13, 05:29 AM

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/varan...on-thread.html

Check out the above discussion.

Welcome aboard.

jarich · 04-22-13, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cparker

I'm going to be building a 12x6x8 enclosure and have some questions.

Is foam or fiberglass insulation better? I don't really know how to attach the foam. How many bags of fiberglass insulation would I need to insulate the top, bottom and sides?

Should I put a waterproofer on the wood thats' not in contact with substrate?

Best thing to protect wood that touches substrate? FRP is hard to find by me and I don't have tools to cut it to the sizes.

Best way to connect plywood sheets together?

For the frame should I use screws or nails to secure it?

thanks

Ya, Wayne's link is great as it shows pictures and breaks it down really well.

In answer to your questions, I dont think it would be that much of an issue using either type of insulation. They both work well, so its just a matter of your preference. Fibreglass is pretty itchy, but foam is a little tougher to work with; both will do fine. As to how much you need, just ask your hardware store and they should be able to give you an estimate.

Its good to at least seal the wood above the substrate, yes. Its going to be high humidity in there all the time, so any exposed wood will rot. You can use just a simple water based deck sealant (polyurethane) for the top though if you want, as it wont be in contact with the substrate. For the bottom that is in contact with the substrate, use epoxy resin like they use on boat hulls, bar tops, etc. It dries hard and waterproof, and you just paint it on.

For the frame, in my opinion its always better to use screws rather than nails. You never know when you might have to take it apart again, or replace one part, so screws are the way to go.

What are you going to be putting in that nice new enclosure?

Chris72 · 04-22-13, 02:38 PM

Yes, you should water proof everything. Yes, use screws.

If you want to do it properly you will want cut and finnish everything to size.

DO NOT use nails.

The best thing is to drill small pilot holes for all screws to be used pin it together to confirm fit and finish then take it appart. Seal everything with oil based paint or Vanathan depending on the finish you want. Screw it back together once dry and then put a bead of caulking down on all inside joints. (If you dont, it will not be sealed.)

That will seal the wood from all moisture so you get max life for the application and will keep your %RH in the Viv. If you dont you are likely to get boards drinking in moisture and eventually will need to be replaced.

If you dont waterproof and just use nails.....consider the enclosure something to get you by until you get the proper enclosure built.

If the job is going to get done....do it once...do it right.

Do it right and enjoy the proccess. You will have something you will be proud to own. If you truly belive you do not have the skills you are better off buying something pre-fab as doing a home build twice is a false economy.

Pirarucu · 04-22-13, 04:00 PM

Welcome aboard, the others about covered it. What are you planning to put in that beast?

cparker · 04-25-13, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris72

Yes, you should water proof everything. Yes, use screws.

If you want to do it properly you will want cut and finnish everything to size.

DO NOT use nails.

The best thing is to drill small pilot holes for all screws to be used pin it together to confirm fit and finish then take it appart. Seal everything with oil based paint or Vanathan depending on the finish you want. Screw it back together once dry and then put a bead of caulking down on all inside joints. (If you dont, it will not be sealed.)

That will seal the wood from all moisture so you get max life for the application and will keep your %RH in the Viv. If you dont you are likely to get boards drinking in moisture and eventually will need to be replaced.

If you dont waterproof and just use nails.....consider the enclosure something to get you by until you get the proper enclosure built.

If the job is going to get done....do it once...do it right.

Do it right and enjoy the proccess. You will have something you will be proud to own. If you truly belive you do not have the skills you are better off buying something pre-fab as doing a home build twice is a false economy.

Thanks, I'll seal the thing up great. I don't have that much skills with building, I'm hiring a carpenter, I'm going to work on learning how to build enclosures but I'll start with a smaller project.